On October 27, the Brandeis Center hosted a Capitol Hill briefing on the rise of anti-Semitism in America after Hamas’ deadly October 7th attack on Israel, and the dire need for universal adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism. U.S. Representative and Co-Chair of the House Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism Brian Fitzpatrick served as the event’s honorary host. Brandeis Center Founder and Chairman Kenneth L. Marcus delivered opening remarks, while Brandeis Center President Alyza D. Lewin moderated a panel discussion with Director of the National Jewish Advocacy Center Director Mark Goldfeder, Director of StandWithUs Center for Combatting Antisemitism Carly F. Gammill, and B’nai B’rith International Director of Legislative Affairs Rabbi Eric Fusfield. Speakers discussed the consensus surrounding the exclusive adoption of the IHRA working definition of antisemitism and the rejection of all watered-down substitutes. The IHRA working definition provides examples of how anti-Zionism is used as a cover for anti-Semitism, including holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the state of Israel or drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis. Representing their respective major Jewish organizations, speakers also provided Capitol Hill staffers with examples of anti-Semitic incidents occurring across the country, with most being reported by Jewish university students. These incidents included physical, verbal, and online harassment. “Without the IHRA working definition, anti-Semites will continue to get away with their bigotry and discrimination, masking it as anti-Zionism or political speech,” said Brandeis Center Director of Policy Education Emma Enig. “I can guarantee that those supporting Hamas and chanting ‘resistance by any means necessary’ do not just have a bone to pick with the State of Israel. They are calling for the genocide of innocent Jewish civilians, in Israel and abroad. That’s anti-Semitism, plain and simple.” FBI Director Christopher Wray has warned that anti-Semitism in America is reaching “historic levels.” Since October 7th, countless anti-Semitic incidents have been reported on college campuses. A student from Cornell was arrested for making anti-Semitic rape and death threats against Jewish students on campus. Jewish students at Columbia University have reported death threats and swastika graffiti. Jewish students at Cooper Union in New York City were forced to seek refuge in a library as pro-Palestinian demonstrators banged on the walls of the building. At a pro-Palestinian protest near Tulane University, at least two Jewish students were physically assaulted. The White House has acknowledged the rise in anti-Semitism on college campuses, including directing the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to work with state and local law enforcement and reach out to provide support directly to college campuses.